How to Make Prednisone Side Effects Go Away? A Patient's Guide

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

One study noted that in a 3-year period, about one in five Americans used a short-term oral corticosteroid like prednisone [1.3.2]. Understanding how to make prednisone side effects go away is crucial for managing treatment and maintaining quality of life.

Quick Summary

Effectively manage the challenging side effects of prednisone through targeted lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and close collaboration with your healthcare provider for a better treatment experience.

Key Points

Consult Your Doctor: Never alter your prednisone dose or stop taking it without medical supervision due to the risk of adrenal insufficiency [1.8.1].
Diet is Crucial: Manage weight gain and fluid retention by following a low-sodium, high-potassium diet and controlling calories [1.2.2, 1.4.2].
Timing Matters for Sleep: Take your daily dose in the morning to reduce the risk of insomnia and sleep disturbances [1.5.3, 1.5.4].
Protect Your Bones: Combat bone density loss with sufficient calcium and Vitamin D, along with regular weight-bearing exercise [1.2.2].
Manage Moods Proactively: Use stress-reduction techniques like exercise and mindfulness, and keep your family informed about potential mood swings [1.6.2].
Tapering is Essential: Always follow a gradual tapering schedule provided by your doctor to allow your body to safely adjust [1.8.2].
Strengthen Your Defenses: A weakened immune system is a risk, so practice good hygiene and stay up-to-date on vaccinations as advised by your doctor [1.2.1, 1.7.2].

Prednisone is a powerful corticosteroid medication prescribed to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, making it a vital treatment for conditions like asthma, autoimmune diseases, and allergic reactions [1.6.1]. While effective, its use, especially long-term, can lead to a variety of side effects [1.7.1]. Proactive management and open communication with your doctor are essential.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your medication or health. Never stop or change your prednisone dose without your doctor's instruction [1.2.1].

Understanding Common Prednisone Side Effects

Prednisone mimics cortisol, a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands [1.8.6]. This action is what helps control inflammation but also disrupts the body's normal hormonal balance, leading to side effects. The intensity and type of side effects often depend on the dose and the duration of treatment [1.7.4]. Short-term use might cause issues like insomnia, increased appetite, and mood changes, while long-term use can lead to more serious concerns like osteoporosis and a weakened immune system [1.7.6, 1.3.5].

Strategies for Managing Physical Side Effects

Many physical side effects can be mitigated with targeted lifestyle and dietary adjustments.

Appetite, Weight Gain, and Fluid Retention

Prednisone can increase appetite and alter how the body processes salt and fat, often leading to fluid retention and weight gain [1.4.7, 1.3.3]. The face may become fuller, a condition known as "moon face" [1.2.2].

Reduce Sodium Intake: Limit processed foods, canned goods, and salty snacks to help manage fluid retention [1.4.2]. Prednisone alters how the body processes salt, so a low-salt diet is beneficial [1.2.1].
Increase Potassium: Eat potassium-rich foods like bananas, spinach, and avocados to help your body decrease water retention [1.2.2, 1.4.2].
Control Calories and Portions: Plan meals, focus on whole foods like fruits and vegetables, and choose lean proteins to manage increased hunger [1.2.2, 1.4.3].
Stay Active: Regular exercise helps control weight and can improve your metabolism [1.4.5, 1.2.1].

Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances

The medication can make you feel more alert or jittery, interfering with sleep [1.5.4].

Morning Dosing: Take your entire prednisone dose in the morning with food. This allows the stimulating effects to wear off by bedtime [1.5.3, 1.5.4].
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene: Create a dark, quiet, and cool sleep environment. Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and electronics before bed [1.5.5, 1.5.3].
Relaxation Techniques: Gentle yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation before bed can help calm your nervous system [1.5.2, 1.6.2].

Bone Health and Muscle Weakness

Long-term prednisone use (longer than a month) can decrease bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures [1.7.6, 1.2.2]. It can also lead to muscle weakness [1.7.3].

Calcium and Vitamin D: Ensure adequate intake through diet (low-fat dairy, leafy greens) or supplements as recommended by your doctor [1.2.2, 1.7.1].
Weight-Bearing Exercise: Activities like walking, dancing, and strength training help strengthen bones and maintain muscle mass [1.2.2, 1.2.5].

Coping with Mood and Mental Health Changes

Prednisone can significantly impact mood, causing irritability, anxiety, and sometimes depression [1.6.2, 1.7.5].

Inform Your Support System: Let family and friends know that mood swings are a potential side effect so they can offer better support [1.6.2, 1.6.4].
Stress Management: Regular exercise can boost mood by releasing endorphins. Mindfulness, yoga, and deep breathing are also effective tools [1.6.2].
Maintain a Routine: Sticking to a regular schedule for meals and sleep can provide a sense of stability [1.4.2].
Communicate with Your Doctor: If mood changes are severe or distressing, talk to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your dose or suggest other interventions [1.6.4].

Comparison of Management Strategies


Side Effect	Lifestyle & Dietary Approach	Medical & Professional Support
Weight Gain	Low-sodium, low-calorie diet; regular aerobic and strength exercise [1.2.2].	Discussing the use of diuretics (water pills) with your doctor for fluid retention [1.2.2].
Insomnia	Take dose in the morning; practice good sleep hygiene; avoid caffeine [1.5.3, 1.5.4].	Your doctor may adjust the dose or, in some cases, prescribe a short-term sleep aid [1.5.2].
Mood Swings	Regular exercise, mindfulness, stress-reduction techniques, and informing family [1.6.2].	Seeking mental health counseling; doctor may adjust dosage or add medication for severe cases [1.6.3, 1.6.4].
Osteoporosis	Calcium and Vitamin D-rich diet; weight-bearing exercise; avoiding smoking and excess alcohol [1.2.2].	Regular bone density scans; prescription medications to prevent bone loss [1.7.6].

The Critical Importance of Tapering Off Prednisone

You should never stop taking prednisone abruptly [1.8.3]. Doing so can cause a serious condition called adrenal insufficiency, where your body doesn't produce enough cortisol. This can lead to severe fatigue, body aches, and a potentially life-threatening adrenal crisis [1.8.6, 1.8.1]. Your doctor will provide a specific tapering schedule, gradually reducing the dose over weeks or even months. This allows your adrenal glands time to resume their normal function [1.8.2, 1.8.3].

Conclusion: Your Proactive Role

While you can't always make prednisone side effects go away completely, you can take many steps to minimize their impact. A proactive approach that combines smart lifestyle choices, a healthy diet, and regular exercise is key. Most importantly, maintain an open dialogue with your healthcare provider. Report any side effects you experience, follow their instructions carefully, and work together to find the right balance between managing your condition and your quality of life.

For more in-depth information, you can visit the Mayo Clinic's page on prednisone and other corticosteroids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many side effects, like increased appetite and mood changes, will lessen as the dose is tapered and should resolve after stopping the medication. Weight gain may take six months to a year to lose after discontinuing the drug [1.4.7]. Some long-term effects like osteoporosis may require ongoing management [1.7.6].

You can minimize weight gain by adhering to a low-sodium diet, controlling calories, eating potassium-rich foods, and engaging in regular exercise. Most weight gain is from fluid retention and increased appetite, which can be managed [1.2.2].

Prednisone can make you feel more alert and energized because it mimics cortisol, the body's stress hormone. This can disrupt your natural sleep cycle [1.5.5]. Taking the dose in the morning helps mitigate this [1.5.4].

Yes, mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, and even depression, are known side effects of prednisone. These effects are often related to the dose and usually subside after treatment ends [1.6.1, 1.6.4].

Focus on a diet low in sodium and rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamin D. Choose lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid simple carbohydrates, sugary foods, and excess salt [1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.5].

Stopping prednisone suddenly can cause adrenal insufficiency, a serious condition where your body lacks cortisol. This leads to severe withdrawal symptoms and can be life-threatening. A gradual taper is necessary to allow your body to resume natural cortisol production [1.8.6, 1.8.1].

Yes, prednisone suppresses the immune system, which is how it reduces inflammation. This also makes you more susceptible to infections. It is important to practice good hand hygiene and avoid people who are sick [1.2.1, 1.7.2].